Consumer Confidence in Belgium

It measures the optimism or pessimism of Belgian households about the general economic situation, unemployment, their own finances and their capacity to save over the coming twelve months. It is compiled by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) and is a balance indicator (positive minus negative replies), not an index with a base of 100.

A monthly NBB survey of a representative sample of Belgian households covering four components (economic situation, unemployment, personal finances and saving capacity). The headline indicator is the seasonally adjusted average of the four balances.

A higher (less negative) reading signals greater willingness to spend and invest; sharp falls tend to foreshadow weaker private consumption. Released early in the month, it offers an early read on the pulse of Belgian domestic demand.

It is a qualitative indicator (perception) and does not measure actual spending; it can be volatile month to month and is subject to revision by the NBB when the seasonal adjustment is recalculated.